Liquid storage closure device with integrated straw

ABSTRACT

A liquid storage closure device ( 10 ) and methods of using the same are disclosed. The device may comprise a cover ( 12 ) capable of being attached to a liquid storage container ( 14 ), wherein the cover comprises an opening ( 22 ) allowing liquid to pass through. The device may also comprise an outer straw ( 16 ) inserted within the liquid storage container ( 14 ) and an inner straw ( 18 ) slidingly and sealingly received within the outer straw ( 16 ) and the opening ( 22 ), such that liquid is capable of passing from the liquid storage container ( 14 ), through a lower end of the outer straw ( 16 ) disposed therein, and out an upper end of the inner straw ( 18 ). In some embodiments, the device may also comprise a cap ( 20 ) capable of being sealingly attached to the cover ( 12 ) such that liquid is substantially retained within the liquid storage container ( 14 ).

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/779,335, filed Mar. 13, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid storage closure device with an integrated straw disposed therein.

2. Description of the Related Art

Liquid storage containers typically include a cover of some sort which must be removed to drink the liquid. For example, a plastic water bottle often comprises a plastic cap which can be screwed on to the top of the bottle to prevent liquid from spilling. Such a cover is easily misplaced and, when the cover is removed, the resultant opening is often too large for individuals to comfortably drink out of it without spilling. Removing the cap and inserting a standard straw is cumbersome and does not prevent spills.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a liquid storage closure device. In one embodiment, the liquid storage closure device comprises a cover capable of being attached to a liquid storage container, wherein the cover comprises an opening allowing liquid to pass through, an outer straw inserted within the liquid storage container and in fluid contact with the opening in the cover, an inner straw capable of being positioned in a retracted position or any number of extended positions, wherein the inner straw is slidingly and sealingly received within the outer straw and the opening in the cover, such that liquid is capable of passing from the liquid storage container, through a lower end of the outer straw disposed therein, and out an upper end of the inner straw, and a cap capable of being positioned in a substantially closed position or a substantially open position, wherein the cap is sealingly attached to the cover over the inner straw when positioned in the substantially closed position, such that liquid is substantially retained within the liquid storage container.

One embodiment disclosed herein is a liquid storage closure device, comprising a cover capable of being attached to a liquid storage container, wherein the cover comprises an opening allowing liquid to pass through, an outer straw inserted within the liquid storage container and in fluid contact with the opening in the cover, an inner straw capable of being positioned in a retracted position or any number of extended positions, wherein the inner straw is slidingly and sealingly received within the outer straw and the opening in the cover, such that liquid is capable of passing from the liquid storage container, through a lower end of the outer straw disposed therein, and out an upper end of the inner straw, and a cap capable of being positioned in a substantially closed position or a substantially open position, wherein the cap is sealingly attached to the cover over the inner straw when positioned in the substantially closed position, such that liquid is substantially retained within the liquid storage container.

In one embodiment, the inner straw is capable of being locked in place at an extended position. Advantageously, the inner stray may comprise a protrusion and the outer straw may comprise a corresponding cavity or indent. Preferably, the protrusion is located at the lower end of the inner straw. Optionally, the inner straw comprises at least one additional protrusion and may also comprise at least one additional cavity or indent.

The liquid storage container can be, for example, a bottle, a can, a box, or a pouch. In one exemplary embodiment, the outer straw may be integrated into the cover. In any of the embodiments, the outer straw and the cover can be made from the same material. In any of the embodiments, the opening in the cover may be a junction which connects the outer straw to the cover.

In any of the embodiments, the outer straw may have a length such that the lower end of the outer straw may be located at or near the bottom of the liquid storage container. Preferably, the outer stray is between about 3 and 17 inches long, preferably between about 9 and about 11 inches long. The inner straw is preferably between about 3 and 17 inches long, preferably between about 9 and about 11 inches long.

In one embodiment, the inner straw comprises a gripping surface at the upper end of the inner straw. Preferably, the gripping surface may be a protrusion which has a larger diameter than at least one of the outer straw or the opening in the cover.

In any of the embodiments, the cover may comprise a first raised portion which has a smaller diameter than the cap. Preferably, the first raised portion comprises circumferential lips which allow the cap to be secured in the substantially closed position. Advantageously, in any of the embodiments, both the cover and the cap may be threaded, such that the cap may be rotated from a substantially open position to a substantially closed position. Preferably, the cover comprises a first raised portion which has a smaller diameter than the cap and the threading on the cover may be located on the first raised portion.

In any of the embodiments, the cap may be attached to the cover by a tether. In any of the embodiments, the container may further comprise a seal which engages when the cap is in the substantially closed position, wherein the seal substantially prevents liquid from exiting the liquid storage closure device. Preferably, the seal comprises a stopper positioned on the inside of the cap, such that a portion of the stopper may be inserted inside the inner straw when the cap may be in the substantially closed position, thereby preventing liquid from exiting the inner straw. In one embodiment, the stopper is slightly larger than the interior diameter of the inner straw, such that the stopper pushes the outer diameter of the inner straw against the inner diameter of the outer straw and forms an additional seal.

In any of the embodiments, the seal may comprise a material positioned between the cap and the cover when the cap is in the substantially closed position.

Also discloses is a method of using any of the embodiments of the container disclosed herein, comprising moving the cap from the substantially closed position to the substantially open position, extending the inner straw to an extended position, drinking a liquid from the liquid storage container, pushing the inner straw to the retracted position, and moving the cap to the substantially closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a liquid storage closure device.

FIG. 2A depicts an embodiment of a liquid storage closure device, wherein a cap is positioned in a substantially closed position and an inner straw is positioned in a substantially retracted position.

FIG. 2B depicts an embodiment of a liquid storage closure device, wherein a cap is positioned in a substantially open position and an inner straw is positioned in a substantially retracted position.

FIG. 2C depicts an embodiment of a liquid storage closure device, wherein a cap is positioned in a substantially open position and an inner straw is positioned in an extended position.

FIG. 3 depicts cross-sectional views of an inner straw and an outer straw of a liquid closure device.

FIG. 4 depicts cross-sectional views of an inner straw and an outer straw of a liquid closure device.

FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged view of a cover of a liquid storage closure device.

FIG. 6 depicts an enlarged view of a cover of a liquid storage closure device.

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict enlarged views of covers of a liquid storage closure device.

FIG. 8 depicts an enlarged view of a cover of a liquid storage closure device.

FIG. 9 depicts cross sectional views of a liquid storage closure device.

FIG. 10 depicts cross sectional views of a liquid storage closure device.

FIG. 11 depicts an embodiment of a liquid storage closure device attached to a rectangular shaped liquid storage container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a liquid storage closure device 10. In some embodiments, the liquid storage closure device 10 comprises a cover 12, which is capable of being attached to a liquid storage container 14. In some embodiments, the liquid storage closure device 10 comprises an outer straw 16. In an embodiment, the liquid storage closure device 10 comprises an inner straw 18. In some embodiments, the liquid storage closure device 10 further comprises a cap 20.

The liquid storage container 14 may comprise any type of container that is capable of storing liquid. For example, the liquid storage container 14 may be a bottle, a can, a box, or a pouch. In embodiments where the liquid storage container 14 is a bottle, it may be any type of bottle, including, but not limited to, a water bottle, a soft drink bottle, or any other drink bottle. For example, the cover 12 may comprise threading to attach to a standard soft drink bottle. In some embodiments, the cover 12 may configured to screw on to a threaded bottle cap with any thread specification established by the International Society of Beverage Technologists. For example, but not by way of limitation, the cover 12 may be sized to screw on to a standard threaded bottle with an outside diameter of about 27.43 mm and a pitch of about 3.18 mm or a standard threaded bottle with an outside diameter of about 27.4 mm and a pitch of about 2.7 mm. In other embodiments, the cover 12 may be “snapped” on to a bottle configured for use with standard bottle caps, such as the generic crown cork bottle cap disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 468,258. In other embodiments, the cover 12 may be configured to be attached to a 12 ounce can drink. In other embodiments, the cover 12 may be configured to be attached to a boxed drink, such as a juice box, carton, or popper. In other embodiments, the cover 12 may be configured to attach to a pouch drink, such as many Capri-Sun brand drinks.

In some embodiments, the cover 12 comprises an opening 22 of any appropriate size which is configured to allow liquid to pass through it. For example, the opening 22 may be round with a diameter of between about 1 mm and about 20 mm. In some embodiments, the opening 22 may be round with a diameter of between about 3 mm and about 10 mm. In some embodiments, the opening 22 has a diameter of about 6 mm.

FIGS. 2A-2C depict an embodiment of a liquid storage closure device 10. In some embodiments, the liquid storage closure device 10 comprises an outer straw 16 which may be inserted within the liquid storage container 14. In an embodiment, the outer straw 16 is in fluid contact with the opening 22 in the cover 12. In some embodiments, the outer straw 16 is attached to the cover 12. In other embodiments, the outer straw 16 is integrated into the cover 12. In some embodiments, the outer straw 16 may be made from the same material as the cover 12. For example, the outer straw 16 and the cover 12 may both be made of a plastic material. As shown in FIG. 2A, in some embodiments, the outer straw 16 may have a length such that the lower end of the outer straw 16 is located at or near the bottom of the liquid storage container 14. For example, the outer straw 16 may be between about 3 and about 17 inches long. In some embodiments, the outer straw 16 may be between about 9 and about 11 inches long.

In some embodiments, the cap 20 may be positioned in a substantially closed position or a substantially open position. For example, FIG. 2A depicts the cap 20 in a substantially closed position and FIGS. 2B and 2C depict the cap 20 in a substantially open position. In some embodiments, the cap 20 is configured such that it is sealingly attached to the cover 12. In an embodiment, the cap 20 is sealingly attached to the cover 12 over the inner straw 18 when the cap 20 is in the substantially closed position, such that liquid is substantially retained within the liquid storage container. For the purposes of this description, “substantially retained” means that liquid will not leak out of the liquid storage container 14 when operated under normal operating conditions. In some embodiments, the cap 20 may be connected to the cover 12 by a tether 21 which can prevent the cap 20 from being lost. The tether 21 may be made of any suitable material. For example, the tether 21 may be made of plastic and may be the same material as the cover 12 and/or the cap 20.

In some embodiments, the inner straw 18 may be slidingly and/or sealingly received within the outer straw 16 and the opening 22 in the cover 12. In an embodiment, liquid is capable of passing from the liquid storage container 14, through a lower end of the outer straw 16 disposed therein, and out an upper end of the inner straw 18. In some embodiments, the inner straw 18 may be positioned in a retracted position or any number of extended positions. For example, FIG. 2B depicts the inner straw 18 in a retracted position. FIG. 2C shows the inner straw 18 in one extended position. As is appreciated by those skilled in the art, the inner straw 18 can be positioned in a nearly unlimited number of extended positions, each further from the retracted position than the last. In some embodiments, the inner straw 18 may be extended to a locked position, requiring more force to move the inner straw 18 to a further extended position or a retracted position than was required to move the inner straw 18 to the locked position. Such a “lock” may be accomplished in a number of ways. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the exterior of the inner straw 18 may contain a protrusion 19 and the interior of the outer straw 16 and/or the opening 22 may comprise a corresponding cavity or indent 21, (or alternatively the exterior of the inner straw 18 may contain a detent or indent and the interior of the outer straw 16 and/or the opening 22 may contain a protrusion, or the inner and outer straws include other interacting or locking structure) such that when the inner straw 18 is extended to a desired position, the protrusion 19 on the outer straw 16 is placed within the corresponding cavity or indent 21 on the interior of the outer straw 16 and/or the opening 22. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the protrusion 19 may be placed at the lower end of the inner straw 18. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, one or more protrusions 19 may also be spaced apart on the inner straw 18 such that the inner straw 18 may be extended to multiple locked positions. In some embodiments, the interior of the outer straw 16 and/or the opening 22 may comprise one or more cavities, protrusions, detents, or indents 21 spaced apart such that the inner straw 18 may be extended to one or multiple locked positions.

In some embodiments, the inner straw 18 further comprises a gripping surface 24 at the upper end of the inner straw 18. In an embodiment, the gripping surface 24 is a protrusion which has a larger diameter than the outer straw 16 and/or the opening 22 in the cover 12. In embodiments where the gripping surface 24 is larger than the diameter of the outer straw 16 and/or the opening 22 in the cover 12, the gripping surface 24 may prevent the inner straw 18 from being pushed entirely within the outer straw 16. In some embodiments, the inner straw 18 is sized such that only a small portion of the inner straw 18 extends above the outer straw 16 and/or the opening 22 when the inner straw 18 is in the retracted position. In an embodiment, the size of the inner straw 18 may correspond to approximately the size of the outer straw 16. For example, the inner straw 18 may be between about 3 and about 17 inches long. In an embodiment, the inner straw 18 may be between about 9 and about 11 inches long.

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of a liquid storage closure device 10. As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the opening 22 is a junction which connects the outer straw 16 to the cover 12. In some embodiments, the cover 12 comprises a first raised portion 26. In an embodiment, the first raised portion 26 may be a smaller diameter than the cap 20. As shown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the first raised portion 26 comprises circumferential lips 28 which may be engaged with a corresponding latch 30 on the cap 20, allowing the cap 20 to be secured in a substantially closed position.

In some embodiments, the liquid storage closure device 10 may also comprise a seal. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in some embodiments, the seal may be a stopper 32 positioned on the inside of the cap 20. In an embodiment, a portion of the stopper 32 may be inserted inside the inner straw 18 when the cap 20 is in a substantially closed position and may prevent liquid from exiting the top of the inner straw 18. In some embodiments, the stopper 32 may be capable of providing a liquid and gas tight seal. In an embodiment, the stopper 32 is slightly larger in diameter than the interior diameter of the inner straw 18, such that the stopper 32 may apply a lateral force to the inner straw 18, which pushes the outer diameter of the inner straw 18 against the inner diameter of the outer straw 16 and/or the opening 22. Such a force may provide an additional seal which can prevent liquid and gas from escaping between the outer straw 16 and/or the opening 22 and the inner straw 18, which can help preserve the freshness of a carbonated beverage. As shown in FIG. 7B, the stopper 32 may be formed by creating an indentation in the cap 20.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cover 12 and the cap 20 may comprise corresponding threading, such that the cap 20 may be rotated to the substantially closed position. The cover 12 may comprise corresponding threading on the first raised portion 26, such that the diameter of the cap is larger than the diameter of the first raised portion 26. Alternatively, the outside portion of the cover 12 may comprise corresponding threading, such that the cap 20 may have a larger diameter than the overall diameter of the cover 12. In some embodiments, the liquid storage closure device 10 comprises a seal 34 positioned between the cap 20 and the cover 12 or first raised portion 26. Such a seal may be made of any appropriate material, including, but not limited to, polyethylene, plastisol, or styrene foam. In a preferred embodiment, the seal is made of polyethylene. In an embodiment, the seal 34 is attached to the cap 20, such that it engages with the cover 12 when rotated to a substantially closed position. In another embodiment, the seal 34 is attached to the cover 12, such that it engages with the cap 20 when the cap 20 is rotated to a substantially closed position. In some embodiments, the seal is capable of providing a liquid and gas tight seal, which can help preserve the freshness of a carbonated beverage.

FIGS. 9 and 10 depict additional perspective and cross sectional views of embodiments of the liquid storage closure device 10 described herein. In some embodiments, the cover 12 comprises threading 36 configured such that it can be screwed on to a threaded bottle. FIG. 11 depicts an additional embodiment wherein the liquid storage closure device 10 described herein is configured to be received by a rectangular shaped liquid storage device 14

Also disclosed is a method of using a liquid storage closure device 10. The method may comprise moving the cap 20 from a substantially closed position to a substantially open position. In an embodiment, the method further comprises extending the inner straw 18 to an extended position. For example, the inner straw 18 may be extended to an extended position in which it “locks” in place as described above. The method may also comprise drinking a liquid from the liquid storage container 14. In an embodiment, the method may comprise pushing the inner straw 18 back to a retracted position and moving the cap 20 to the substantially closed position.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices and processes illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. As will be recognized, the present invention may be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features may be used or practiced separately from others. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid storage closure device, comprising: a cover capable of being attached to a liquid storage container, wherein the cover comprises an opening allowing liquid to pass through; an outer straw inserted within the liquid storage container and in fluid contact with the opening in the cover; an inner straw capable of being positioned in a retracted position or any number of extended positions, wherein the inner straw is slidingly and sealingly received within the outer straw and the opening in the cover, such that liquid is capable of passing from the liquid storage container, through a lower end of the outer straw disposed therein, and out an upper end of the inner straw; and a cap capable of being positioned in a substantially closed position or a substantially open position, wherein the cap is sealingly attached to the cover over the inner straw when positioned in the substantially closed position, such that liquid is substantially retained within the liquid storage container.
 2. The liquid storage closure device of claim 1, wherein the inner straw is capable of being locked in place at an extended position.
 3. The liquid storage closure device of claim 2, wherein the inner straw comprises a protrusion and the outer straw comprises a corresponding cavity or indent.
 4. The liquid storage closure device of claim 3, wherein the protrusion is located at the lower end of the inner straw.
 5. The liquid storage closure device of claim 4, wherein the inner straw comprises at least one additional protrusion.
 6. The liquid storage closure device of claim 5, wherein the outer straw comprises at least one additional cavity or indent.
 7. The liquid storage device of claim 1, wherein the liquid storage container is selected from the group consisting of a bottle, a can, a box, and a pouch.
 8. The liquid storage device of claim 7, wherein the liquid storage container is a bottle.
 9. The liquid storage closure device of claim 1, wherein the outer straw is integrated into the cover.
 10. The liquid storage closure device of claim 9, wherein the outer straw and the cover are made of the same material.
 11. The liquid storage closure device of claim 1, wherein the opening in the cover is a junction which connects the outer straw to the cover.
 12. The liquid storage closure device of claim 1, wherein the outer straw has a length such that the lower end of the outer straw is located at or near the bottom of the liquid storage container.
 13. The liquid storage closure device of claim 1, wherein the inner straw comprises a gripping surface at the upper end of the inner straw.
 14. The liquid storage closure device of claim 13, wherein the gripping surface is a protrusion which has a larger diameter than at least one of the outer straw or the opening in the cover.
 15. The liquid storage closure device of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a first raised portion which has a smaller diameter than the cap.
 16. The liquid storage closure device of claim 15, wherein first raised portion comprises circumferential lips which allow the cap to be secured in the substantially closed portion.
 17. The liquid storage closure device of claim 1, wherein the cover and the cap comprise corresponding threading, such that the cap may be rotated to the substantially closed position.
 18. The liquid storage closure device of claim 17, wherein the cover comprises a first raised portion which has a smaller diameter than the cap and the threading on the cover is located on the first raised portion.
 19. The liquid storage closure device of claim 1, wherein the cap is attached to the cover by a tether.
 20. The liquid storage closure device of claim 1, further comprising a seal which engages when the cap is in the substantially closed position, wherein the seal substantially prevents liquid from exiting the liquid storage closure device.
 21. The liquid storage closure device of claim 20, wherein the seal comprises a stopper positioned on the inside of the cap, such that a portion of the stopper is inserted inside the inner straw when the cap is in the substantially closed position, thereby preventing liquid from exiting the inner straw.
 22. The liquid storage closure device of claim 21, wherein the stopper is slightly larger than an interior diameter of the inner straw, such that the stopper pushes the outer diameter of the inner straw against the inner diameter of the outer straw and forms an additional seal.
 23. The liquid storage closure device of any of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a material positioned between the cap and the cover when the cap is in the substantially closed position.
 24. A method of using the liquid storage closure device of claim 1, comprising: moving the cap from the substantially closed position to the substantially open position; extending the inner straw to an extended position; drinking a liquid from the liquid storage container; pushing the inner straw to the retracted position; and moving the cap to the substantially closed position. 